Paying For College

Paying for college is the toughest issue for undocumented students and their families. Families often can only provide room and board for their students, so raising funds for books, supplies, transportation, tuition and fees, and other costs of college fall onto the students’ shoulders.

This can seem insurmountable for some students, but there is help. Students can take advantage of installment plans, apply for scholarships, and build a peer and mentor support network so that other forms of help are readily available. Some students become entrepreneurs, and many work at jobs that pay them “below the table.” If students earn money it is vital that they keep track of their earnings and scholarships, so that they will pay taxes on income. 

Installment Plans
Installment payments at colleges and universities are accepted to pay for registration fees/tuition, only with an APPROVED installment agreement. A non-refundable administrative fee is charged to sign up for Installment Plans. The Installment Plan is normally paid in three or four installments over three months. Failure to complete the payment schedule does not normally result in disenrollment in the current semester, however students will be charged an additional fee and will not be able to enroll for the next semester until the balance is paid in full. Inquire at the college Cashier's Office or Admissions and Enrollment Services for information on how to apply.

Examples of Eligibility Requirements for installment plans:

• You do not have a past due balance for a prior term.
• You are admitted for the term.
• You are not awarded Financial Aid for the term.
• You have not already paid your Registration Fees for the term.

The Office of Financial Aid
College and university Financial Aid offices provide financial and advisory assistance to enable students to pursue a quality education. They administer funds that are awarded to students that demonstrate a need to cover educational expenses. Most funds administered by Financial Aid offices are available from the Federal and State governments and require proof of US citizenship or legal residency. This information is verified with the Federal government to ensure proper use of Federal and State funds. Undocumented immigrant students are not currently eligible for any federal or state aid and should NOT complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as this may be interpreted as seeking to use a public benefit for which they are not eligible. This is grounds for deportation.

Students that are in the process of becoming legal citizens may be eligible for these funds depending on their status. If a student has filed a US residency application, he or she will receive an I-797 Notice of Action letter from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). At this point, the student can begin the financial aid application process. Students become eligible for financial aid upon receipt of notification that their status has changed to one
of the following:

1. A US permanent resident (I-551)
2. A conditional permanent resident (I-55C)
3. A holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) indicating a refugee, asylum granted, or parolee.

Students are eligible to receive financial aid retroactively for an entire aid year as long as US residency status is established within that aid year. The obtaining of one of these statuses would also allow the student to establish California Residency for tuition purposes. However, residency for tuition purposes cannot be applied retroactively.